Written Answers Nos. 221-234
221. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the 16 areas still waiting for the implementation of the 2012 reconfiguration plan in respect of school patronage; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents in the areas affected regarding implementation of the remainder of the 2012 reconfiguration plan; the changes to this which are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, following discussions on patronage divesting with education stakeholders and patron bodies in 2016, on the 30th January, 2017, I announced new plans aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment in this area.
I would point out that the previous model of divestment yielded only a very limited number of schools for transfer to multi-denominational patrons (10 since 2013). I believe that the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process has the potential to significantly increase patron diversity in our school system with a target of reaching 400 multi-denominational and non-denominational schools by 2030.
While these new structures are being introduced, my Department will continue to work with the main stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified, in 2017 and beyond.
222. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement his Department has had with the Unite trade union regarding the qualifications and quality assurance (amendment) Bill and the regulation of the ELS profession in the context of the forthcoming legislation; if he will meet representatives of the union to discuss it having an input into the forthcoming legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI published the General Scheme of a Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill on 15th May 2017, following approval by Government. The purpose of this Bill is to address a number of issues that are currently impeding Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for external quality assurance and qualifications across the further and higher education sectors, from exercising some of its intended functions.
The General Scheme contains amendments to facilitate the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM) which is a core component of the Government's policy for the English language sector. The IEM will be managed by QQI and only those providers who meet the robust quality assurance procedures of QQI will be allowed to carry the Mark. The development of the IEM and related Code of Practice for the provision of programmes of education and training to international learners was subject to extensive consultation involving all relevant stakeholders in 2013 and 2014 as part of QQI’s comprehensive policy development programme. My Department has previously responded to issues raised by Unite in relation to the regulation of the English language sector.
The General Scheme of the Bill has now been referred to the relevant Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny.
223. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to develop post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses on a regional basis across two or more education and training boards, ETBs; his views on the fact that the absence of PLC provision in Dublin 15 is a serious restriction on persons seeking second chance education or a return to college and further education in the Dublin 15 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress his Department has made in the development of a regional strategy on post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses with education and training boards, ETBs, offering PLC provision to a wide geographical area across two or more ETBs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32380/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
Goal 4 of the Further Education and Training Strategy aims to improve and integrate the planning and funding of further education and training (FET) and commits SOLAS to organise and conduct a schedule of evaluations of FET programmes, including the national PLC programme.
Following a competitive tendering process, the ESRI was commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation of the PLC programme. The report of the evaluation along with the response of SOLAS has recently been submitted to my Department and is currently under consideration.
Details of the allocation and planned outputs for all FET programmes for 2017, including PLC, will shortly be published by SOLAS in the 2017 FET Services plan.
225. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will commit to funding a social network platform for children in primary schools (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the potential of this technology that allows children to use social media in a safe and monitored environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the service provided by the company referred to by the Deputy. This company operates on a commercial basis and consequently, it would not be appropriate to allocate public funding to this service in the absence of a public procurement process.
My Department through the PDST-TIE provides support and guidance to schools on internet safety. The PDST-TIE works closely with the Office of Internet Safety in that regard. Responsibility for internet usage by children outside of school hours, and access to social networks, resides with parents.
Webwise (a team within PDST/PDST Technology in Education) is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre co-funded by the Department of Education and Skills and Europe (the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility).
Webwise promotes the autonomous, effective, and safer use of the internet by young people through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting parents, teachers , and children themselves (through a Webwise Youth Advisory panel and collaboration with the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU)) with consistent and relevant messages.
The Webwise team develop and disseminate resources that help teachers integrate internet safety into teaching and learning in their schools. The team works closely with the Health and Wellbeing
team in PDST to ensure internet safety messages are considered in the mediation of strands of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum/syllabus. Information, advice, and tools are also provided to parents to support their engagement in their children’s online lives.
The Department of Education & Skills has published a Digital Strategy for Schools which links with the work of other Departments and agencies and outlines a vision for the use of technologies in teaching and learning. There are specific actions in relation to the safe and ethical use of technology.
From a Government perspective, responsibility for cyber safety rests with the Department of Justice and Equality. The Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Children also have roles.
226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a full SUSI grant will be approved for a person (details supplied). [32464/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted by the applicant via www.studentgrantappeals.ie outlining the position to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.
227. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when special needs assistant allocations will be made to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that last week, I announced that 975 additional SNAs will be available for allocation to schools from September 2017 which is a 7.5% increase to meet the demands for the new school year.
A total of 13,990 SNA posts will now be available at a gross annual cost of €458 million. This is more SNAs than we have ever had previously and will ensure that all children who qualify for SNA support can continue to receive access to such support.
In total, the number of SNAs available has increased by over 32% since 2011, when 10,575 posts were available.
The NCSE has advised all schools of their allocations for SNA support for the coming 2017/18 school year. Details of the allocations which have been made to schools have now been published on www.ncse.ie.
Where a school wishes to make an application for SNA support in respect of a child who was not considered as part of this allocation process they may continue to make such applications to the NCSE.
In circumstances where a school, or parent, is unhappy with the allocation of SNA support which has been made, or considers the level of support allocated is not sufficient to meet the care needs of the pupils concerned, the school or parent, may appeal that decision via the NCSE appeals process. Details of the NCSE appeals process is available at www.ncse.ie.
The method of provision for the additional posts this year has been similar to that for the past six years when decisions were made in late June or early July. This is not a satisfactory approach and we intend that in this year’s estimates, provision will be made for the anticipated extra need in the same way as for other elements of the education system.
In response to a progress report from the NCSE on the comprehensive review it is undertaking of the SNA Scheme, I have requested the National Council for Special Education to establish a working group, comprising relevant stakeholders, to assist in proposing an alternate and improved model for providing care supports so as to provide better outcomes for students with special educational needs who have additional care needs.
This Working Group will commence its work upon its appointment and the work will run in tandem with the completion of the Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme. It is intended that the reports of the Working group and of the Review will be completed early in 2018.
228. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32560/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised by the Deputy would only have an impact on the grades of Services Officer and Cleaner at my Department as the other grades are in receipt of salaries that exceed a rate of €11.70 per hour.
The majority of staff presently engaged at my Department as Services Officers or Cleaners are on an incremental pay scale and have extensive service and in recognition of this they are on the higher points of the scale which exceed the rate mentioned by the Deputy.
My Department does not hold data centrally in relation to payroll for the bodies under its aegis. Therefore, officials at my Department will request the information and forward it to the Deputy in due course.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A.
I refer to your parliamentary question tabled on the 11th July 2017.
The following tabular statement gives details of the additional costs concerned in the event a rate of €11.70 per hour was applied to staff currently below that rate. In relation to my Department and the bodies, the vast majority of staff are in receipt of remuneration that exceeds the rate suggested.
I would also like to point out that where staff are on remuneration that is lower that the suggest rate, they are on incremental pay scales and subject to satisfactory service they will receive annual increments that will result in them being in receipt of remuneration that exceeds the rate within a period of a few years.
|
Body |
Staff |
Current Rate |
Suggested Rate |
Add Cost |
Annual Cost |
|
Dept Education |
21 c.o. 1st pt |
€10.69 |
€11.70 |
€1.01 |
€45,376 |
|
Dept Education |
39 c.o. 2nd pt |
€11.39 |
€11.70 |
€0.31 |
€25,865 |
|
Dept Education |
4 Cleaners 1st pt |
€8.75 |
€11.70 |
€2.95 |
€25,245 |
|
Dept Education |
2 Cleaners 2nd Pt |
€9.76 |
€11.70 |
€1.94 |
€8,301 |
|
Dept Education |
1 Service Off 3rd pt |
€10.42 |
€11.70 |
€1.28 |
€2,738 |
|
NCCA. |
lTemp CO 1st pt |
€10.69 |
€11.70 |
€1.01 |
€2,161 |
|
Teaching Council |
ICO P1 pt |
€10.69 |
€11.70 |
€1.01 |
€2,161 |
|
QQI. |
4 Grade III |
€10.75 |
€11.70 |
€0.95 |
€8,130 |
|
TOTAL |
€119.977
|
229. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the Deputy's information, the following table shows expenditure from my Department's administrative budget on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation in the years 2012 - 2016 inclusive.
|
Year |
Total Expenditure € |
|
2012 |
131,324.35 |
|
2013 |
48,992.85 |
|
2014 |
136,392.68 |
|
2015 |
125,535.24 |
|
2016 |
97,250.58 |
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of agencies is not held centrally by the Department. If the Deputy has an interest in a particular agency then officials in my Department will request the agency concerned to provide the relevant information insofar as it is possible.
230. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to schools here in which pupils were requested to buy tablet devices (details supplied) for their studies. [32700/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that many schools choose to use tablets for teaching and learning. Under Section 15 of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The position is that the day to day running of a school is a matter for its Board of Management.
It is a matter for each individual school to determine the curriculum to be taught and the strategies to be employed to support teaching and learning in their school. The decision to use tablet devices is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Where the introduction of new technology is planned, there should be consultation with members of the school community including parents. The cost and other implications should be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. My Department recently communicated with schools on measures to be adapted to reduce costs to parents and requested that schools annually review the cost of items they require parents to purchase and make this information available to the school community. It is my intention, as resources permit, to reward schools that can provide evidence of having adopted the Principles of cost-effective practice.
As part of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, my Department provides advice on ICT equipment and digital learning tools that are best-suited to support learning and teaching in schools. An advice sheet on the adoption of tablets in schools is available on the PDST-Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) website, detailing what tablets can offer a school, educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software. Further information and the advice sheet on tablet devices can be found at http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/Computing-Devices-Tablets/
€210m will be allocated over the period of the Strategy, with the first tranche of €30m already distributed to schools in respect of the 2016-2017 school year. I recently published the Digital Strategy Action Plan for 2017, detailing objectives that will be progressed during the year.
There is a School Books Grant Scheme in place that provides assistance for books including ebooks for students in all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.
232. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to lift the embargo of staff recruitment for City of Dublin Education and Training Board training centres allowing them to function again at a higher level and with better value for money (details supplied). [32747/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Delegated Sanction Agreement (DSA) is in place between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my department. The DSA, which will run until the end of this year, replaces the Employment Control Framework (ECF) and associated moratoriums and is subject to periodic review by both departments.
Compliance with the DSA requires adherence by my Department to binding overall three-year pay ceilings and to ongoing compliance with workforce planning requirements. ETBs are required to seek sanction from my Department for the filling of vacancies and these are considered on a case by case basis.
Having regard to the pay ceilings allocated to my Department for 2017 as part of the budgetary process, my department is required to maintain its focus on ongoing reform of the sector including the realisation of efficiency measures across the sector and the reallocation or reorganisation of work. In December 2016, my Department communicated with each ETB regarding these arrangements.
233. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to contact south Dublin county council in relation to his Department seeking to purchase a site as a site for a permanent school for a school (details supplied); if so, when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32822/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra234. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a design has been agreed for a permanent school (details supplied); if not, the timeframe for same to be agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32823/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.
A project to deliver permanent accommodation for the school to which the Deputy refers was announced in November 2015 as part of my Department's Six Year Plan and was listed to proceed to construction in 2019-2021. In that context, officials from my Department have been working closely with officials from South Dublin County Council to secure the acquisition of the site on which the school is currently located in temporary accommodation.
The disposal of the site to my Department has been approved by South Dublin County Council however title issues were identified with the property and, as the Deputy may be aware, a Compulsory Purchase Order was undertaken by the Council with a view to regularising these. This process is now complete and my officials are liaising with Council officials with a view to progressing the acquisition.
My Department will be in further contact with the school in due course in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the new school building.
